- G'day Construction Newsletter
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- 12/11/2025
12/11/2025
The Daily Dirt Aus
By Gāday Constructionā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.ā¦ā¦
THE MORNING PAPER FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND TRADIES
šØ Safety Updates
The NSW Resources Regulator issued a safety alert after two workers died in a Cobar mine explosion. WorkSafe WA congratulated emergency response and safety award winners, highlighting excellence in mine rescue and safety leadership. New bulletins warn against falsified licences and dangers of working under vehicles or mobile plant.
Two passenger planes only narrowly avoided colliding with construction vehicles and workers during takeoff at Melbourne airport in 2023, in one case by less than five metres, because the flight crews were unaware the runway was nearly 1,600m shorter than usual, an Australian safety investigation has found.
ā Headlines & Industry
Plumbers across New South Wales have slammed a decision by Sydney Council to ban new gas appliances in homes and large commercial buildings from 2027, claiming that the move is reckless and may undermine public safety.
In a recently released report, the Grattan Institute has recommended that three-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential-zoned land in all capital cities, and that housing developments of six storeys or more should be allowed as-of-right near major transit hubs.
šļø Projects
NSW
The Kingswood Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), proposed by Iberdrola, will deliver 270 MW / 1,080 MWh of storage about six kilometres southeast of Tamworth, NSW. Following environmental and planning approvals, construction is expected to start in 2026 and finish in 2027, supporting grid stability and renewable energy integration in regional New South Wales.
he Energy Corporation of New South Wales (EnergyCo) has announced the shortlisting of three consortia to build and operate the transmission network for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Future Energy Networks, NewLeaf Energy and Verta Energy will progress to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage in the competitive process to engage the New England REZ network operator.
Wisemans Ferry Road at Greengrove is receiving an extra $8.99 million for critical repair and resilience works thanks to the Federal and NSW Governments. Central Coast Council is delivering the works, with contractors already active across more than 40 landslip sites between Spencer and Gunderman. Works at Greengrove will begin in 2026, with full completion expected by late 2026, weather permitting.
QLD
The Tabua subsea cable was successfully landed at Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, through a complex offshore construction operation involving vessels, excavators, winches, boats, and divers. Delivered under the Australia Connect initiative, the project establishes vital digital infrastructure linking Queensland to the U.S., supporting future data centres and regional smart city development.
Construction has been approved for One Park Lane on the Gold Coast, a 101-storey residential tower reaching 393 metres, alongside a 60-storey office building. Linked by a skybridge at level 22, the towers feature a fig tree-inspired podium, 197 apartments, 11,600 mĀ² office space, and are set to become Australiaās tallest skyscraper.
Queenslandās rapid population growth, Brisbane congestion, and the upcoming Olympics are driving unprecedented demand for civil construction, creating a projected shortfall of 50,000 workers in 2026ā2027. Recognizing civil construction as a frontline workforce, boosting training, and promoting career pathways are essential to meet long-term infrastructure and housing needs.
TAS
TasPorts and H2U Group have signed an MOU to explore developing a green hydrogen and ammonia facility at Bell Bay port. The proposed facility would be initially capable of producing up to 500,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year with the potential to scale-up, supporting the emerging hydrogen industry and advancing Tasmaniaās renewable energy ambitions.
VIC
Spanish renewables giant Iberdrola has been chosen to develop Victoriaās section of the VNI West transmission project, a 500kV double-circuit line linking Bulgana to Tragowel and into NSW. Partnering with VicGrid, Iberdrola will support design, procurement, and environmental approvals, marking its first major step into Australiaās transmission construction market.
WA
Horizon Power is seeking renewable and low-emission energy options to replace the 86 MW gas-fired Karratha Power Station in the Pilbara by 2030. The EOI invites proposals for thermal, battery storage, and renewable generation, emphasizing reliability, sustainability, Traditional Owner partnerships, and alignment with the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan.
The Western Australian government has announced it will not proceed with the $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC), redirecting funds towards the newly created $1.5 billion Building Hospitals Fund.
Australiaās state-owned Synergy seeks approval for a wind farm at Scott River, southwestern WA, aiming to support renewable energy and replace coal generation. The project faces mixed local reactions, with environmental and farming concerns, though feasibility studies show minimal ecological impact. The EPA will decide if a formal assessment is required.
š§° Construction Au Other
Season 3, Episode 5 of Inside Infrastructure features Stephanie Graham, Managing Director of Construction at Lendlease, discussing the construction industryās evolution, its recovery post-challenges, and key landmark projects that have shaped city skylines, offering insights into trends, innovations, and the sectorās future direction.
š Innovation, Digital & Futuristic Technology
Telstra Enterprise and John Holland successfully trialed Astro, a 5G-enabled robotic dog, on Melbourneās Metro Tunnel Project. Equipped with sensors, video, and IoT capabilities, Astro autonomously gathers real-time environmental data in hazardous underground spaces, improving worker safety and demonstrating the potential of robotics, cloud integration, and 5G in construction.
Chinese startup Noetix has launched Bumi, a $1,400 bipedal robot capable of walking, dancing, and perceiving its environment. While primarily educational, it signals a shift: hardware is affordable, but software and AI will determine if humanoid robots can safely and autonomously perform complex construction tasks alongside humans.
AI in construction is increasingly used for tasks like vetting parties, analyzing contracts, tracking progress, optimizing procurement, and generating designs. Generative AI can create new content, while assistive AI supports document preparation. Risks include inaccurate analysis, liability, data disputes, and privacy concerns, but future applications could span full project planning, safety, and execution.
š± Sustainability ā& Environment
Fulton Hoganās Australian Pavements R&D team developed RAP2(ES)R, a rapid-setting, 100% reclaimed asphalt road base that cures in just 24 hours instead of a week. Led by Dr Laszlo Petho and Khoa Vo, the innovation boosts sustainability, reduces carbon footprint, and enhances efficiency in road construction and bitumen operations.
The Australian tyre industry, and its challenges and opportunities in the circular economy, will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science. Australia generates more than 67 million end-of-life tyres each year, with many ending up in landfill, stockpiles, or exported without adequate oversight.
CSIRO scientists are transforming mine tailings into geopolymer concrete, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90%. Using clay like kaolinite, the material replaces cement, offering a sustainable solution for both mining waste and construction. The innovation turns toxic tailings into valuable, strong, and environmentally friendly building materials.
š Around the World
Webuild has installed the first of 35 āmega caissonsā for Genoaās new 6.2km breakwater. Standing 33m tall, 67m long, and 30m wide, it was placed 50m underwater using a semi-submersible barge. The breakwater will protect the port, accommodate 400m vessels, and enhance Genoaās role in European trade corridors.
Japanās Mitsubishi Estate launches a US data center surge: 14 campuses, 2.8 GW, $15 billion buildāout
Japanās Mitsubishi Estate, via TA Realty, plans 14 U.S. data center campuses totaling 2.8 GW capacity, investing up to $15 billion. Key sites include Virginia, Georgia, and Illinois, with a 430 MW Loudoun County campus operational by 2027. The project combines build-to-lease and speculative models, aiming for completion by 2030.
A new report from Allianz Commercial warns that global spending on data centre construction could reach several trillion US dollars by 2030, driven by the explosive growth of AI and cloud computing. Project costs now range from US$500 million to US$2 billion each, illustrating the scale of the infrastructure boom.
š Miscellaneous
Infrastructure Victoriaās 30-year plan outlines 45 recommendations to address global heating and population growth. It urges the state to boost train services in Melbourneās north and west, extend eight tram routes, add six express bus lines, make off-peak travel cheaper, and develop a national road user charge within five years.
Regional Australia faces major EV ācharging deserts,ā with most chargers concentrated in cities. Only a third of towns have one within 20 kilometres, leaving vast inland gaps. Research urges a national fast-charging network every 150ā200 kilometres, improved reliability standards, and consistent reporting to support clean transport and regional economic growth.
š·āāļø Tradies and Resource
Australiaās peak engineering and professional services organisations have joined forces to ask the Australian Government to introduce a national registration scheme for professional engineers to boost productivity, enhance public safety and cut red tape.
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Alex
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